taking it back

06.21.13

Paula Deen Issues Video Apology

Carlo Allegri/AP

A remorseful mea culpa from Paula Deen hit YouTube on Friday, with the controversy-plagued celebrity chef asking forgiveness for her alleged racial epithets. “I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I’ve done,” she said. “I want to learn and grow from this. Inappropriate, hurtful launguage is totally, totally unacceptable.” Deen and her brother are facing a lawsuit for allegedly sexually harassing a former restaurant manager, who claims they frequently used the n-word and other offensive language. “I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners—I beg for your forgiveness,” she pleaded in the video, seeming to be near tears. Another video posted on Friday shows Deen apologizing for blowing off the Today Show, explaining that she was "physically not able" to make it to the interview with Matt Lauer.